The Blue- GA

29

2022

"So, what Christmassy things would you guys like to do?" Morgan asks as she places 4 coffees on the table before sitting down on the sofa next to Gracie. Olivia and Conan were both sat on the other end of the sofa next to them.

"It's snowing. Why don't we go outside, have a snowball fight and then come back in here. We can make some hot chocolate and have a movie marathon" Conan suggests. This seems to have peeked the interest of everyone else as they all agree to the plan.

They quickly get multiple layers on before leaving Morgan's apartment. She locks up before they exit the building and walk to find a good patch of snow.

"So, rules..." Conan begins as he looks around at the group, "no throwing at faces and if you get hit you are stuck for 5 seconds, deal?"

"Deal!" Morgan laughs. Everyone's cheeks and nose were already red from the cold.

They find a perfect patch of untouched snow and start packing some snow balls together.

"Okay, ready?" Conan shouts as the group get behind whatever they can. Morgan and Gracie both behind separate benches as Conan and Olivia find a tree each, "3... 2... 1... go!" As soon as Conan announces 'go', all hell breaks loose as snowballs fly everywhere.

"Get him!" Morgan shouts as he notices Gracie and Olivia teaming up on Conan. She throws a snowball but it misses slightly and breaks above his head, sending a shower of snow on him. He retaliates by throwing one and hitting Gracie's shoulder.

"Hey! No fair why me?!" They all laugh before continuing to throw snowballs at each other, losing counts on how many hits each of them have.

After another 20 minutes of the ruthless game, they all collapse together onto the snow and look up towards the sky.

"Okay, I think we've had enough of the cold" Morgan says as she stands up and brushes off the snow off her jacket before reaching a hand down for Gracie to grab, "let's go inside and I'll make the hot chocolate"

Once they're back inside the apartment, they kick off their wet shoes and take off their layers before Morgan makes her way to her kitchen. Gracie, Conan and Olivia are in the living room picking out a Christmas movie to watch.

"Find something classic" Olivia says as she searches through Morgan's dvd collection.

"What about The Polar Express?" Conan asks as he lifts the dvd up. Both girls nod and Morgan comes back into the room, expertly holding all 4 cups of hot chocolate.

"So, what are we watching?" She asks as she places them all on the table. Morgan glances at the TV, where the menu for The Polar Express is now displayed, "Perfect choice," she says, taking her seat on the couch beside Gracie.

As the opening credits roll, the aroma of hot chocolate fills the air. Gracie wraps a blanket around herself, pulling it tight as she takes a sip of her drink. Morgan has her hot chocolate in hand too as she wraps an arm around Gracie's shoulders.

"This hot chocolate is amazing btw, Morgan," Olivia exclaims with a grin on her face.

"Thanks! It's all about the marshmallows," she replies, making them laugh.

As the movie begins, the familiar story unfolds, and the room is filled with laughter and the occasional gasp as they watch the film.

Halfway through, Olivia pauses the movie, her brow furrowed in thought, "You know, I always thought the train was kind of a metaphor for growing up. Like, you have to decide whether to stay on the train or get off and face reality," she says with a thoughtful look.